Lincoln exhibit to open in Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History says it is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth with a new exhibition.

Set to open Friday, "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life" is made possible through the support of the Ford Motor Co. Fund, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation and the History Channel.

Showcasing the museum's extensive Lincoln collection, the exhibition will present more than 60 objects associated with Lincoln's life, including an iron wedge he used to split wood in the early 1830s in New Salem, Ill., and the iconic top hat he wore the night he was shot at Ford's Theatre, the museum said.

"We are excited about bringing together for the first time this unique and unparalleled collection of Lincoln objects," Museum Director Brent D. Glass said in a statement. "What better way to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday than by telling the story of his extraordinary life?"

"As a whole, the exhibition presents a more personal and intimate look at Lincoln. It reminds us that Abraham Lincoln, whose story has become so mythic, was a real individual. Through all his achievements, successes and tragedies, he led an extraordinary life," added Harry Rubenstein, the exhibition's curator and chair of the museum's division of politics and reform.

The opening of the exhibition will coincide with the museum's debut of "America's New Birth of Freedom: Documents from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum" in the Albert H. Small Documents Gallery.